According to the American Heart Association, 23.1% of males in the United States smoke and 18.3% of women do. A common statistic quoted is that only 4%-7% of smokers who attempt to quit each year will be successful. This is according to the Center for Disease Control’s report “Cigarette Smoking Among Adults-- United States, 2007.”
What is often not mentioned is that in the same study, the CDC states that the 4%-7% success rate only applies to smokers who attempt to quit without using any cessation method. Every trusted medical resource - from the CDC to the Mayo Clinic to WebMD - states that using various cessation methods increases the chances of succeeding. The benefits of quitting start almost immediately after the last cigarette is put out.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Nicotine replacement - in the form of patches, gums, and lozenges - is one of the most popular tools used to help quit smoking. The main benefit is that it helps reduce the cravings for nicotine, which results in a vast improvement in the odds of successfully quitting. Another benefit of nicotine replacement is that it allows for a gradual reduction in the amount of nicotine absorbed, allowing people two to three months of slowly reducing their nicotine intake.
Smoking Cessation Support Programs
Support programs are becoming more popular and are being offered by a variety of medical plans and workplaces. These programs often provide motivational support, coaching, and professional advice. They also often have support groups so people can discuss their problems and set-backs with others in the same situation. This method is often combined with other methods, such as nicotine replacement or prescription medication.
Prescription Medication
There are various prescription medications, including Zyban and Chantix, available. Some work by blocking the nicotine receptors in the brain; others work by helping ease the nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The specific drugs each have their own guidelines for use. Prescription medication should be taken only with a doctor's approval.
Cold-Turkey and Cutting Down Methods
Cold-turkey and slowly cutting down on how many cigarettes are smoked are two common methods used. One reason that both methods have such high failure rates is that they are often attempted impulsively without proper planning and proper determination. Many smokers use these methods to quit, though, and they should not be overlooked. A quit date or specific milestones - depending upon the method - should be decided on in advance. Back-up methods, relapse policies, and family support should also be prepared.
Non-Prescription Medication and Alternative Methods
There has been very little research done about the helpfulness of non-prescription medication and other alternative methods. Alternative methods can include hypnosis, acupuncture, behavioral therapy, and herbal remedies. The lack of research does not mean that these means are invalid, it simply means that one cannot make a solid statement about how helpful they are. They are always an option.
The Benefits to Quitting Smoking
The benefits to quitting smoking start almost immediately. The longer a person manages not to smoke, the more benefits they reap. The following is a list of benefits, and how long it takes for them to appear after the last cigarette is smoked.
- 20 minutes- heart rate drops to normal and blood pressure drops
- 12 hours- carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
- 2 weeks to 3 months- heart attack risk begins to drop and lungs work better
- 1 to 9 months- coughing and shortness of breath decrease; increased lung function (due to cilia gaining normal function) lowers risk of lung infection
- 1 year- risk for heart disease is now half that of a smoker
- 5 years- risk of stroke is the same as that of a non-smoker
- 10 years- risk of dying from lung cancer is half that of a smoker; mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas cancer risk decreases
- 15 years- risk of heart disease is the same as that of a non-smoker
Proper Planning and Determination are Necessary for Success
The many smoking cessation aids now available have increased the successful quitting rate by double or even triple figures. The many benefits delineated by various medical establishments often provide motivation and milestones for those quitting. While quitting smoking is never easy, proper planning and determination are always necessary for success. The only way a person will fail completely is if they give up trying.
Sources:
American Cancer Society. 2010, November 9. “When smokers quit—What are the benefits over time?”
American Heart Association. 2010. “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics- 2010 Update.”
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 2008, Nov. 14. “Cigarette Smoking Among Adults—United States, 2007.”
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2010, May 19. “What Happens When You Quit Smoking?”
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